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Thursday, March 28, 2024
NEWS  |  CAMPUS

Tough economy does not deter students from seeking Greek life

Despite a bleak economy and rising tuition costs, officials from the UF Office of Sorority and Fraternity Affairs have not seen a decline in the number of students who join Greek organizations.

This year, 1,262 women participated in sorority recruitment. That's about 90 more than last year, said Carey Mays, program coordinator for OSFA.

The number of men who participated in fraternity recruitment was not available by press time, according to Rajiv Asnani, UF Interfraternity Council president. However, 819 men accepted fraternity bids this year, he said, which is about 40 more than last year.

Jack Causseaux, associate director for OSFA, said he didn't think the economy had an impact on Greek turnout this year.

"We feared that, but our numbers have been increasing," he said.

The sum of average new member fees and chapter dues for a sorority and fraternity are $2,073 and $3,067, respectively.

The fraternities and sororities are urged to address their financial costs to new members, and most offer scholarships and payment plans, Causseaux said.

Brandon Corsentino, a member of Chi Phi Fraternity, is applying for scholarships to help him afford his chapter dues. The fraternity's alumni offer between $500 and $1,000 to nine members each semester. Scholarship recipients are chosen based on their academic records and involvement within the fraternity.

"I had to apply for scholarships because my parents told me that if I wanted to be involved, I had to pay out of my own pocket," Corsentino said. "I was concerned about the money."

The high costs can be justified through the fraternity's meal plan, said Corsentino, an industrial engineering sophomore.

Most sororities and fraternities provide their members with 10 to 15 meals per week at their houses. The costs for the meal plans are included in some chapter dues.

Students with on-campus meal plans can switch to their chapter houses' meal plans.

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"It's better food," Corsentino said. "Our chef, Teddy, is pretty awesome."

Briana Rittersporn, a telecommunications sophomore, didn't think the expense of joining a sorority was worth it.

"I would have to go to all the social events," Rittersporn said.

There are two other Greek organizations not affiliated with the Panhellenic Council and Interfraternity Council: the Multicultural Greek Council and the National Pan-Hellenic Council.

An official from the National Pan-Hellenic Council was not available to comment.

Isamara Berrios, president of the Multicultural Greek Council, said her sorority has been affected by the economy.

"Everything that the chapter has done now has increased in price," Berrios said. "The money has to come from our own pockets."

The Multicultural Greek Council has not seen a decline in recent recruitment figures, but students are concerned about the costs, Berrios said.

The sum of average new member fees and chapter dues cost $547.

Recruitment for the Multicultural Greek Council begins Sept. 9. Students who want to learn more about sororities or fraternities can find information in the 2011 Guide to Florida Greeks, which is available on the UF Greeks website, greeks.ufl.edu.

"People still want to get involved," Berrios said. "They just have to make more sacrifices."

 

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